Reality-Virtuality Continuum
The virtuality continuum is a a scale or spectrum ranging from reality to completely virtual. On one end of the spectrum everything in the environment is a real object even if it is being viewed through a computer. In the middle of the spectrum is where the two worlds start to mixed, yet the environment is still primarily real world. The virtual objects interact with the real environment. On the other end of the spectrum is virtual reality where everything is made in the virtual world. People wear headsets that block out the real world and trick their senses into creating a very real virtual reality.
VR stands for virtual reality and it is made completely in the virtual world without any real objects. Everything the users experiences is created in the virtual world.
AR stands for augmented reality which is more in the middle of the spectrum because it includes both reality and virtual reality. For example, Pokemon go is augmented reality because you can see them placed in your real-world environment.
MR stands for mixed reality which is similar to augmented reality except this is more closely tied to reality. The virtual objects in mixed reality are more real and they interact with the real space more like an object that was actually there would behave.
XR stands for extended reality and it is the interaction and connection of the physical world and virtual reality. XR is the overarching term that defines VR, AR, and MR. It defines both the experiences of completely computer generated worlds and the merged physical and virtual world.
